Change we can (and should) be afraid of

We're at the close of Obama's first week as president, and already it's apparent the power has gone to his head. His first few executive orders show his lack of understanding of some basic principles:

1. Planning - For someone who took Pres. Bush to task over and over for not having an exit strategy for getting out of Iraq, you'd think he'd be smart enough to cover his own fanny before he goes announcing big ticket items like closing Gitmo. But no, apparently little details like determining what to do with 250 dangerous terrorists is going to come AFTER we have removed them from their secure facility. Unless he's seriously considering Murtha's proposal to dump em all into a minimum security prison in Pennsylvania because they're "no worse than regular criminals."

2. Respect for human life - Most people that go into the abortion debate take a stand either pro-life or pro-choice. Obama is neither - he's pro-abortion. You look at his voting record and his statements to Planning Parenthood, and he is viciously pro-abortion - he wants all restrictions on all abortions (including late-term and partial-birth, which are too horrible to think about) removed completely. Hence his order this week to remove the ban Pres. Bush had put in on giving money to companies overseas that perform abortions. For someone who has spoken recently on creating a new declaration of independence, he seems to be forgetting one of the key tenets of the original Declaration: that ALL men are endowed by their Creator with the unalienable (meaning it can't be forfeited) rights of LIFE, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If Obama wants people of all genders, races, and sexual orientations to enjoy those rights, what right does he have to say that the unborn have forfeited those same rights? The same Scripture he quoted from the podium on Tuesday says "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." If offending one of the 'little ones' is worthy of that condemnation, what about those who promote the systematic MURDER of MILLIONS of 'little ones'? And uses MY tax dollars to do it? I'm not liking this, not one little bit.

Now I'm not saying Obama can't wise up. He's a smart guy, he can figure these basic principles out if he tries. He's flip-flopped on issues before (gay marriage, for example) so he can put his policy changes up to 'being enlightened' or something. Reagan was man enough to do it. What about Obama?

A rough four years

Well, now President Obama has officially taken over. He gave a big speech, which I'm sure the media will fall over each other in proclaiming the best since Lincoln, if not Washington. But there's a few items in it that bothered me. Here's what I don't like about what Obummer (as a friend of mine calls him) had to say this morning and what I think each item really means for us:

"each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet"
Translation - I'm a sucker for the 'global warming' farce and will throw our money away 'fighting' it

"begin again the work of remaking America"
Translation - goodbye traditional values, hello United States of Obama

"we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age."
Translation - conservative points of view and values will no longer be allowed or taught

"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works"
Translation - it's not big enough, and I'll make it bigger than ever

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"
Translation - Bush's policies were wrong, and I'll institute wimpy liberal-friendly ones in their place

"so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today"
Translation - I am catering to YOU, not the American people

"those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist"
Translation - here is my jugular, please feel free to plunge your knife in at your earliest convenience

"greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less"
Translation - except for the automotive industry. Or the banks. Or big insurance companies like AIG. Or for about 17 or so Democratic governors. Or anyone like Peggy the Moocher. Or Barney Frank. But aside from them, no shortcuts allowed.

In short - we're in for a bumpy four years.

99 Things

Here's how it works: Bold all the things that you have done in your life.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (you can't anymore...)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (if you count rapelling)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been an actor or extra in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason(for my wife)
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Book of Mormon
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (well, I did my part)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee